Researchers have repeatedly noted that the results in spatial-econometric studies depend significantly on the level of regional aggregation (Jacobs-Crisioni et al., 2014; Kang et al., 2014, Baltagi, Li, 2014). Currently, hierarchical models can contribute a lot to the studies of spatial effects...

In European and national policies it is by now evident that the approach to spatial issues favours "economic reasons" over "territorial reasons". The recent emphasis on "cities as drivers of development", although an improvement over previous programming periods, remains fully situated within...